This crate of bottles may have come from a wholesaler, business, stationer or school. The design of the bottles is sometimes called a ‘cottage’ or ‘boat’ shape. Each of the 70 Caldwell’s handmade glass ink bottles was mouth-blown into a two-piece mould, a method often used in the mid-to-late 19th century. The glass blower burst the bottle off the end of his blowpipe with a tool, leaving an uneven mouth and sharp edge on the bottle, which was usually filed. The bottle was then filled with ink and sealed with a cork. More expensive bottles would have a lip added, which was more time-consuming and costly to produce. The capacity for a bottle such as this was about 3 ½ oz (ounces) equal to about 100 ml. Pen and ink have been in use for handwriting since about the seventh century. A quill pen made from a bird’s feather was used up until around the mid-19th century. In the 1850s a steel point nib for the dip pen was invented and could be manufactured on machines in large quantities. The nis only held a small amount of ink so users had to frequently dip the nib into an ink well for more ink. Handwriting left wet ink on the paper, so the blotting paper was carefully used to absorb the excess ink and prevent smudging. Ink could be purchased as a ready-to-use liquid or in powdered form, which needed to be mixed with water. In the 1880s a successful, portable fountain pen gave smooth-flowing ink and was easy to use. In the mid-20th century, the modern ballpoint pen was readily available and inexpensive, so the fountain pen lost its popularity. However, artisans continue to use nib pens to create beautiful calligraphy. Caldwell’s Ink Co. – F.R. Caldwell established Caldwell’s Ink Company in Australia around 1902. In Victoria, he operated from a factory at Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, until about 1911, then from Yarra Bank Road in South Melbourne. Newspaper offices were appointed as agencies to sell his inks, for example, in 1904 the New Zealand Evening Star sold Caldwell’s Flo-Eesi blue black ink in various bottle sizes, and Murchison Advocate (Victoria) stocked Caldwell’s ink in crimson, green, blue black, violet, and blue. Caldwell’s ink was stated to be “non-corrosive and unaffected by steel pens”. A motto used in advertising in 1904-1908 reads ‘Makes Writing a Pleasure’. Stationers stocked Caldwell’s products and hawkers sold Caldwell’s ink stands from door to door in Sydney in the 1910s and 1920s. In 1911 Caldwell promised cash for returned ink bottles and warned of prosecution for anyone found refilling his bottles. Caldwell’s Ink Stands were given as gifts. The company encouraged all forms of writing with their Australian-made Flo-Eesi writing inks and bottles at their impressive booth in the ‘All Australian Exhibition’ in 1913. It advertised its other products, which included Caldwell’s Gum, Caldwell’s Stencil Ink (copy ink) and Caldwell’s Quicksticker as well as Caldwell’s ‘Zac’ Cough Mixture. Caldwell stated in a 1920 article that his inks were made from a formula that was over a century old, and were scientifically tested and quality controlled. The formula included gallic and tannic acids and high-quality dyes to ensure that they did not fade. They were “free from all injurious chemicals”. The permanent quality of the ink was important for legal reasons, particularly to banks, accountants, commerce, municipal councils and lawyers. The Caldwell’s Ink Company also exported crates of its ink bottles and ink stands overseas. Newspaper advertisements can be found for Caldwell’s Ink Company up until 1934 when the company said they were the Best in the business for 40 years.This large collection of similar ink bottles is of particular significance as the bottles have come from the same source, most have their original corks and some retain their original labels, which is rare. The method of manufacture of these bottles is also representative of a 19th-century handcraft industry that is now been largely replaced by mass production. The bottles and their contents are of state significance for being produced by an early Melbourne industry and exported overseas. This case of ink bottles is historically significant as it represents methods of handwritten communication that were still common up until the mid-20th century when fountain pens and modern ballpoint pens became popular and convenient and typewriters were becoming part of standard office equipment.Ink bottles in a wooden crate; 70 rectangular, hand-blown clear glass ink bottles. They have side seams, uneven thickness, especially at the bases, and rough, burst-off mouths. The shoulders on the long sides have horizontal grooves used for pen rests. The bottles vary; some have labels, some contain remnants of blue-black ink, and many have their original corks. The glass has bubbles and imperfections. The remnants of printed labels are on white paper with a swirly border and black text. The bottles contained Caldwell’s blend of blue black ‘Flo-Eesi’ ink.Printed on label; “CALDWELL FLO-EESI BLUE BLACK INK” “ - - - - “ Printed script signature “F.R. Caldwell”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, ink, nib pen, writing ink, writing, copying, banks, lawyers, commerce, student, permanent ink, flo-eesi, blue black ink, stationery, record keeping, handwriting, writing equipment, writing accessory, office supply, cottage bottle, boat bottle, mouth-blown bottle, two-part mould, sheer-lip bottle, burst-lip, cork seal, f r caldwell, caldwell’s ink company, albert park, south melbourne, inkstands, stencil ink, copy ink, quicksticker, zac cough mixture

Needle Case: Card material with gold border. Embossed paper front which has become detached, Green ribbon for closing and khaki ribbon binding the seam. Inside has material for needles. Has red stains. Box 625handcrafts, needlework containers, sewing needles, needle case

Needle Case: Handmade Cardboard Needle Case with 3 needles and a Poem inside a garland of flowers on the Front. Hand stitched at the seam, gold border, mustard in colour, flowers on the back. Box 625handcrafts, needlework containers, needles, needle case. handmade.

Needle Holder: Shield shaped needle holder with five needle. Material with green vase pictured. The holder has a metal edge which has dress pins inserted. At the top is a loop for wearing. The back is material but has red stains. Box 625handcrafts, needlework equipment, sewing, needle holder. needle case.

Pin Cushion: Hand crafted in Silk material with Lace edge. Flower design in blue, yellow, red, white beads and green stitching. Red stains on the item. Box 625handcrafts, needlework, pin cushion. flower pattern

Beaded Needle holder: Container with blue and white pattern in beads on outside. Thin broken bone case inside to hold needles. Box 625handcrafts, needlework containers, beaded needle holder.

Bone lace making stiletto with metal tip.handcrafts, lacemaking equipment, stilleto

Cream coloured ceramic cotton reel.handcrafts, needlework, cotton reel

Red cardboard Wallet containing sewing needles - front shows in gold letters ' Manning & Co , View Point , Sandhurst , Drapers and Tailors / inside shows blue label with silver lettering ' W . Bartleet & Sons ' Needles First order of merit , Adelaide Jubilee Exhibition , 1887 Eleven gold and other prize medals , Superfine Sewing needles , 5 , 3/7 , 4/8 , 6 / needles are rusty / back of wallet black label with silver type Bartleet & Sons 'Queen's Own '.Manning & Co , View Point , Sandhurst / W . Bartleet & Sons 'handcrafts, needlework equipment, ' manning & co , view point , sandhurst drapers and tailors, /' w . bartleet & sons ' needles first order of merit , adelaide jubilee exhibition , 1887 / bartleet & sons 'queen's own '

2 Thimbles for sewing -1 x Brass - 1x silver - tarnished.handcrafts, needlework equipment

Morris & Yeoman’s ' Lace Tablet - Lace making tablet kit, including 3 x lace tablets and instruction sheet for making Teneriffe Lace - instructions say ' This lace may be used for D’oyleys, afternoon tea cloths and many fancy articles ' - patent applied for in the United States of America - Made complete at our own factory, Astwood Bank, Redditch, England in 3 sizes or set of three in box with pins.’handcrafts, lacemaking equipment, teneriffe lace / morris & yeomans ' lace tablet - / d'oyleys

A guarantee in the form of a wall hanging which would have been issued with a special piece of 'Crown Devon' musical pottery designed by Beresford Hopkins and produced at the factory in Stoke-on-Trent. It is in the form of a scroll with a decorative red and black design. Produced for the Coronation of King Edward VIII who abdicated in 1936.handcrafts, ceramics, lydia chancellor, collection, scroll, guarantee, 'crown devon musical pottery, king edward viii, royalty, royal coronation, ceramics, pottery

A newspaper cutting from the Bendigo Advertiser dated 29-12-41 with a knitting pattern for a balaclava cap to knit and send to the Middle East for soldiers and airmen.costume, male headwear, service men, lydia chancellor, collection, knitting, handcrafts, world war 11, hats, clothing, costume, costume accessories, soldiers, airmen, service men

(i) Wall hanging on card. An illustration of a couple in their Regency clothes. No. 24 KAY NIELSEN. A description of the scene is in the quote, '' Ah, Princess! Surely you are not running away from me?'' . Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., London. (ii) A small picture of the nativity scene.artwork, print, print, lydia chancellor, collection, handcrafts, ephemera, art, artwork, drawing

Cotton wall hanging made by Grade 3 & 4 students from Bendigo North Primary School. Quilt made of 28 panels (21 cm X 21 cm) each bordered with dark green strips (3 cms) bordering each panel. Backed with wadding. Across the top of the wall hanging are five hanging loops of dark green fabric (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm ). Hand stitched in place.Machine stitched except for top edged that has been hand sewn after padding inserted. Panels are decorated with textas and fabric paint. Children have drawn pictures and written dates of scenes and icons illustrating different icons and times in the history of Bendigo.handcrafts, tapestry, wall hanging

Mackay collection - Assorted lace projects in various stages of completion including one still attached to frame.handcrafts, lace

Mackay collection - assorted unfinished lace projects in various stages of completion, still attached to backing patterns of pink and blue.handcrafts, lace

Cream cotton doyley (doiley) crocheted by either Elsie Nolting (nee Fraser) or her cousin May Rose (nee Bennett) both of Charlton Victoria. The item was made around 1918 as a dedication to the success of the allies in the First World War. Doyley is crocheted in a treble stitch, edged with clear glass beads. Within the crocheting are the words 'Success to the Allies'. Accession 258/14.handcrafts, crochet, d'oyley, world war 1, milk jug cover, doyley.

Mackay collection - Silver and grey Pin tin embossed with floral design and marked P.P.Pins 1/4lb mixed sizes.handcrafts, needlework containers, pins

A small paperback booklet containing knitting patterns titled ''Layette Set.'' '' All knitted in the famous Ladyship wools.'' ''Bestway knitting no. 83.'' Printed for the Proprietors, The Amalgamated Press, Ltd.., by Messrs. Gordon & Gotch. (Australasia) Limited.Printed for the Proprietors, The Amalgamated Press, Ltd.., by Messrs Gordon & Gotch. (Australasia) Limited.baby clothes, knitting, lydia chancellor, collection, knitting, handcrafts, baby clothes

2 magazines - (i) 'Table Topics,' - The magazine of the Royal Doulton Tableware Division Autumn 1971. Printed in England by Warwick Savage Ltd. Burslem. (ii) 'Tableware Times,' - Royal Doulton No. 1 Summer 1971. Editor David Allen. Printed by Warwick Savage Ltd. Burslem. Both magazines are in a brown envelope addressed to Mrs. Lydia Chancellor 68 Panton St., Golden Sq., Victoria Australia. Dated 7-7-71.handcrafts, ceramics, lydia chancellor collection, collection, magazines, royal doulton, pottery, ceramics, recreations, amusements, table ware, industries, handcrafts, ceramics

Photograph. Captioned figures 'Mum' [Mary Ann Weigard] and Theresa [Weigard]. Also Harriet & Edwin Stevens captioned. Group of dressmaking assistants standing with the Weigard sisters at the rear of their Kangaroo Flat dressmaking business. 6740.2 shows front of building. Wooden tiled roof. Date approximately mid 1880's.handcrafts, dressmaking

Photograph mounted upon card captioned Mum, Aunt Theresa and their dressmaking assistants, Kangaroo Flat about 1886. House in background where presumably Mary Ann Weigard conducted her dressmaking business. Reverse handwritten , Mrs Patrick Cooper nee Mary Wiegard. 1856 -1944 88years below name of Patrick Cooper and 1861 - 1939 78 years below Mary Wiegard name.unknownhandcrafts, dressmaking, history

Rectangular cardboard box containing a brass plate and wire sewing instrument marked Daisy.The Great Western Machine or Daidt Needle V.Coat of arms R. Bourkes (Patent) Bourkeshandcrafts, needlework equipment